I'm sure this happens at other schools, but it seems like a lot of current/former Buckeyes have a 'Block O' tattoo. Off the top of my head I can think of Shazier, Pryor, Laurinaitis, Braxton, Boom, Marc Loving and now Zeke that have it. I think it's really cool that the university means that much to them.

To everyone saying that they know we're going to key on him so it's the other options to watch out for in the passing game: every other team has done the same thing, and none, outside of Arkansas had good success against him. That game is probably more of an outlier, rather than a blueprint on how to stop him. Dude had more targets than the rest of his teammates had catches combined this season, so it's safe to say teams knew he was getting the ball, but just couldn't stop it. They find creative ways to get him involved and he's going to get his catches, it's just a matter of limiting the damage, and not giving up the 1 or 2 massive plays downfield.

I'm interested to see what Ross and others have to say about attacking Bama's D-Line and 'backers with the run as we get closer to game day. They're first in adjusted line yards this season and have destroyed every rushing attack they've faced. I'm a bit worried about how our guards/tackles will get to the second level on tight zone in this game.

Given the proficiency they've shown with the Buck Sweep -combined with how well our receivers block, Bama's strength and depth on the d-line, and Saban OLB's not being historically great at going sideline to sideline- I wonder how much Jalin and Dontre we see trying to break to the outside and through the secondary.

Sounds like it won't matter. McElwain will probably keep Durkin as DC.

EDIT: Also, you guys are out on your asses if you think Fickell is getting the YSU job. He's making far too good of pay here (between $600,000-700,000 I think), while coaching at his alma mater. He hasn't produced enough in recent years to get offered the job anyway, but even so, why take that when one more year of good defense gets him a division I job in the MAC or another non-P5 conference? What does being the YSU HC do for him at this point in his career? I hate to disappoint a lot of you, but Fickell isn't leaving on his own accord unless someone in the D-I ranks can offer him more money or their head coaching job.

Given what Herman and Co. have done with a raw Braxton, Kenny G - who the new staff wanted to kick out of the program when they got here- and a redshirt freshman in Barrett, I'm going to trust them to put Cardale in the best position possible to help the team win next week.

My favorite part of this wasn't everyone arguing whether or not Marcus Hall flipping the double bird was heroic or embarassing awesome, but rather there are still fans on here that refuse to give MSU credit for being better than us in that game. They were pretty good, it's OK to admit that's why we lost!